Name: People to PeopleNumber of players: 15+Age: 5+Necessary equipment: none

How to Play

Players starts in partners, with one person in the centre. (The facilitator may have to step in as this game requires an odd number of players.)

The person in the centre calls out instructions such as "back to back", "elbow to knee", "head to shoulder".

The partners must carry out the instruction by placing the two named body parts together. (Obviously there is potential here for inappropriate combinations; the maturity of the players needs to be considered!)

After a few instructions, the player in the centre calls, "people to people!"

All players must run around the circle to find a new partner. The player in the middle must also find a partner.

The player who ends up without a partner stands in the centre and begins the process again.

This game is self-replicating and generally requires little input from the facilitator. It can be used as an excellent 'get to know you' game, where players must introduce themselves to their new partner before the next round can begin.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Name: The Blanket Name GameNumber of players: 10-20Age: 5+Necessary equipment: A blanket or sheet

How to play

Ensure that the group has had a chance to learn each other's names.

Split the group into two teams.

Two people need to hold the blanket up so that the two teams cannot see each other.

Each team chooses one member to come to the front of the group.

When both teams are ready, the helpers drop the blanket.

The first person to say the name of the person on the other team wins.

The person who loses must then join the opposing team.

The blanket is held up again and teams select a new player.

Play continues until one team has no players left.

This is a great game for learning names, and can be played multiple times so that everyone gets a chance to learn others' names. For groups that already know each other's names, the game is more about the speed of response.

Set up a playing area with a bench at either end, and a line of cones down the middle.

Split the group up into two teams.

Each team stands one one side of the playing area.

One member of each team stands on the bench opposite their team's area.

Each team is given an even number of balls.

Teams aim to throw their balls to their teammate on the bench, while at the same time defending to stop the other team from getting balls to their team member.

For each ball they catch, the team scores one point.

The player must remain on the bench when catching; if they fall of in the process the point does not count.

Play ends after a certain number of points or a certain amount of time.

Larger teams may wish to have multiple players on the bench, and use longer benches.

Variations

Bench Team BallInstead of scoring points, when the bench player catches the ball, the player who threw the ball joins them on the bench. The game stops when one team gets all their players onto the bench.

End BallInstead of benches, a row of cones is placed at each end of the playing area. This variation is safer if the players are not confident on the bench. It also gives players more space to move around.